Minnesota Classic Glastron Forum

Just recently purchased my first boat. Its a 1979 glastron carlson cvx-16 super delux. came with a 1979 johnson 150hp v6 on back. sounds like a load of fun and was told it'll do wheelies in the water. however the rear transom has been reinforced with angle iron and glass is cracking. ive been working on repairing the floors as they too are weak. im sure ill catch some static for this but if im gonna repair the rear transom area whats to say ill put an I/O mercruiser 4.3lx in it. ive only ever heard or seen one other person doing this swap but believe it was a 5.7 mercruiser. the donor boat is a 1995 bayliner 2052 with 4.3lx. any information of ideas are welcome.

We all end up redoing our floors and transoms on these machines; as beautiful as they are, it is worth it. We all do some modern design or material upgrades when we redo things but most of us keep things close to stock. Mother Glastron/Carlson had the design lines and colors way ahead of there time and most of us donít want to mess with that. 150hp OB is a bit much for a CVX16, and then the thought of converting to an inboard just tells me this will probably be another unfinished project (and it will look like crap without the proper engine cover)

If you want a go fast boat with an inboard. . . buy that boat.

Sorry to sound negative but I am trying to help you get on the water with what will work.

I love a custom as much as the next person, but a first boat with a radical transformation from OB to I/O is a major project to say the least. Let's assume you have the time, skill, and money to complete the build I'm afraid the project may not handle as well as it could if left closer to stock. Yeah a 150 is a bit much, but I had a 16 deluxe with Johnson v6-175. Took it out once, ran hard but barely under control. Best advice I could give ya, clean this one up and enjoy it, or sell it and find a craft with the basic set up your after.

Welcome. I have to say agree with the other guys. You will be money and time ahead just getting an I/O boat if that is what you want. If you want to go 4.3 V6 step up to a V8 CVX18. Not all that hard to find or expensive either.